Grater

ABSTRACT

A manual grater for foodstuffs is molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous material and includes a hollow body having integral sidewalls inclined to the longitudinal axis of the body divergently in a direction from one end to an opposite open end thereof, the sidewalls each having an external grating surface curved convexly both longitudinally and transversely, grating teeth integral with each of the grating surfaces in spaced longitudinal and transverse relation thereon and projecting outwardly substantially equidistantly therefrom facing the said one end, means forming grating openings adjacent the teeth in at least part of the sidewalls, an annular support extending laterally outwardly from the body therearound at the said open end thereof and integrally joined thereto, the support comprising means for mounting the grater alternatively on the rim of a bowl for use or for storage, or on a flat surface for use, including surfaces lying in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis for seating engagement with the bowl rim and with the flat surface respectively, and means forming discharge openings between the body and the support adjacent the respective sidewalls, whereby the grater is adapted for grating material downwardly on the grating surfaces over the bowl or flat surface on which the grater is seated for use while minimizing hand contact with the teeth, and grater material passes through the grating openings and the discharge openings and may be collected in the bowl. A grater assembly includes the combination of such grater and a bowl having a rim engageable with the seating surfaces of the annular support for mounting the grater thereon for use or for storage, the bowl rim encompassing the discharge openings in use for collecting grated material which passes through the discharge openings together with grated material which passes through the grating openings, and the bowl receiving the grater body therein for storage.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Efrem M. Ostrowsky lllghland Park,Ill. [21] Appl. No. 807,480 [22] Filed Feb. 26, 1969 [45] Patented June8, 1971 [73] Assignee Nlbot Corporation Ch1cago,lll.

[54] GRA'IER 18 Claims, 8 Drawlng Flgs.

[52] US. Cl. 146/180 [51] Int. Cl. A47] 43/00, A23n 1/02 [50] Field ofSearch 144/177, 180, 3.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 562,372 6/1896 Bouton 146/32,505,114 4/1950 Hayman et al.. 146/180 2,781,069 2/1957 Byrd 146/3Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrnmbie Attorney- Prangley, Clayton, Mullin, Dithmar and Vogel ABSTRACT: A manual grater for foodstuffs ismolded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous material and includes ahollow body having integral sidewalls inclined to the longitudinal axisof the body divergently in a direction from one end to an opposite openend thereof, the sidewalls each having an exter' nal grating surfacecurved convexly both longitudinally and transversely, grating teethintegral with each of the grating surfaces in spaced longitudinal andtransverse relation thereon and projecting outwardly substantiallyequidistantly therefrom facing the said one end, means forming gratingopenings adjacent the teeth in at least part of the sidewalls, anannular support extending laterally outwardly from the body therearoundat the said open end thereof and integrally joined thereto, the supportcomprising means for mounting the grater alternatively on the rim of abowl for use or for storage, or on a flat surface for use, includingsurfaces lying in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axisfor seating engagement with the bowl rim and with the flat surfacerespectively, and means forming discharge openings between the body andthe support adjacent the respective sidewalls, whereby the grater isadapted for grating material downwardly on the grating surfaces over thebowl or flat surface on which the grater is seated for use whileminimizing hand contact with the teeth, and grates material passesthrough the grating openings and the discharge openings and may becollected in the bowl. A grater assembly includes the combination ofsuch grater and a bowl having a rim engageable with the seating surfacesof the annular support for mounting the grater thereon for use or forstorage, the bowl rim encompassing the discharge openings in use forcollecting grated material which passes through the discharge openingstogether with grated material which passes through the grating openings,and the bowl receiving the grater body therein for storage.

I6 32 4O //2 l0 s 54 ass-saw 52 ix 7 a? I as s we 58 2a 1 I 66 26 64 6672 3s A *1, I l V 3 h I 75 PATENTEU JUN slsn 3583455 SHEET 1 [IF 3 IIWWIWHH INVENTOR EFREM M. 05 TROWSKY PATENTEU JUN 8 I97! SHEET 2 [1F 3camera This invention relates to a manual grater for foodstuffs which isemployed as a kitchen utensil, and to a combination of the grater and abowl on which the grater may be mounted for use or for storage and whichserves to collect grated materials.

A common type of grater conventionally employed as a kitchen utensil isconstructed of metal and has four flat inclined sides provided withgrating teeth and adjacent openings therein. Foodstuffs are grated whileholding the utensil on a suitable surface or in a wide bowl or otherreceptacle. Use of the grater in a bowl frequently is less thansatisfactory or is inconvenient, and it may be necessary to use an extrabowl. Care must be exercised in using the conventional grater to avoidinjuring the fingers by contact with the grater teeth.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a manualgrater molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous material and includinga body having an external grating surface inclined to the longitudinalaxis of the body divergently in a direction from one end to an oppositeend of the body, a plurality of grating teeth integral with the gratingsurface in spaced longitudinal and transverse relation thereon andprojecting outwardly therefrom facing the said one end of the body, andsupport means extending laterally outwardly from the body therearound atthe said opposite end thereof and integrally joined thereto, the supportmeans comprising means for mounting the grater on the rim of a bowl foruse including a surface lying in a plane substantially normal to thelongitudinal axis for seating engagement with the bowl rim, whereby thegrater is adapted for grating material downwardly on the grating surfaceover a bowl on which the grater is mounted. The grater thus isconstructed for convenient, secure and stable mounting on a bowl, andthe user may grate materials easily and rapidly while the grater and thebowl stay in place without sliding or tipping.

A more specific object is to provide a grater of the foregoingconstruction that includes means forming an opening between the graterbody and the support means adjacent the grating surface for discharginggrated material therethrough in use. Grated material which falls alongthe grating surface may be collected in a bowl on which the grater ismounted.

Another important object is to provide a grater of the foregoingconstruction wherein the grating surface is curved convexly bothlongitudinally and transversely, and the grating teeth projectsubstantially equidistantly therefrom, thereby minimizing hand contactwith the teeth in use. The structure serves to reduce the incidence offinger cuts and abrasions.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a manual gratermolded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous material and including ahollow body having a plurality of integral sidewalls inclined to thelongitudinal axis of the body divergently in a direction from one end toan opposite end thereof, the sidewalls each having an external gratingsurface curved convexly both longitudinally and transversely, and aplurality of grating teeth integral with each of the grating surfaces inspaced longitudinal and transverse relation thereon and projectingoutwardly substantially equidistantly therefrom facing the said one endof the body, whereby the grater is adapted for use with the longitudinalaxis extending vertically and the said one end of the body uppermost forgrating material downwardly on the grating surfaces while minimizinghand contact with the teeth.

Another object is to provide a grater of the foregoing constructionwhich also includes an annular support extending laterally outwardlyfrom the grater body therearound at the said opposite end thereof andintegrally joined thereto, the support having surfaces lying in planessubstantially normal to the longitudinal axis for seating engagementwith the rim of a bowl or a flat surface on which the grater may bemounted for use. The grater thus may be used on a bowl which serves tocollect the grated material or on a flat work surface such as a counteror table top.

' An additional object is to provide a manual grater molded of syntheticthermoplastic resinous material and including a hollow body having aplurality ofintegral sidewalls inclined to the longitudinal axis of thebody divergently in a direction from one end to an opposite open endthereof, the sidewalls each having an external grating surface, aplurality of grating teeth integral with each of the grating surfaces inspaced longitudinal and transverse relation thereon and projectingoutwardly therefrom facing the said one end of the body, means forminggrating openings adjacent the teeth in at least part of the sidewalls,an annular support extending laterally outwardly from the bodytherearound at the said open end thereof and integrally joined thereto,the support comprising means for mounting the grater alternatively onthe rim of a bowl or on a flat surface for use including surfaces lyingin planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis for seatingengagement with the bowl rim and with the flat surface respectively, andmeans forming discharge openings between the body and the supportadjacent the respective sidewalls, whereby the grater is adapted forgrating material downwardly on the grating surfaces over a bowl or flatsurface on which the grater is mounted and grated material passesthrough the grating openings and the discharge openings and may becollected in the bowl.

A particular object is to provide a grater of the foregoing constructionwherein the support includes a ledge for supporting the grater on therim of a bowl with the grater body disposed alternatively outside thebowl for use or inside the bowl for storage, and an integral bandprojecting longitudinally beyond the ledge in opposite directions foralternatively securing the grater on a bowl when supported on the rimthereof in either of the said body dispositions or supporting the grateron a flat surface for use. The grater thus may be mounted on a bowl foruse, with the above-described advantages, and also may be storedcompactly in the bowl with which it is to be used.

A further object is to provide a grater of the foregoing constructionhaving three inclined longitudinally and transversely curved sidewallsintegrallyjoined by similarly inclined longitudinally and transverselycurved corner portions, and having an integral closure at the said oneend of the grater body forming a curved triangular ridge with thesidewalls and corner portions and including a recessed end wall boundedby the said ridge. The structure is strong and rigid, conveniently heldby the user, and open and accessible for easy cleaning.

Another object is to provide a grater assembly which ineludes thecombination of a grater having the foregoing construction and a bowlhaving a rim engageable with the grater support means for mounting thegrater thereon for use.

Another particular object is to provide a grater assembly including agrater having the foregoing construction and a bowl having a rimengageable with the grater support ledge adjacent to the support bandfor mounting the grater on the bowl rim in either of the use and storagedispositions of the grater body, the bowl rim encompassing the graterdischarge opening in use for collecting grated material which passesthrough the discharge openings together with grated material whichpasses through the grating openings, and the bowl receiving the graterbody therein for storage.

Additional objects of the invention include the provision of alightweight, durable, economical and versatile grater suitable for usewith various foodstuffs while accomplishing the foregoing objects andproviding the described and other advantages and functions. Furtherfeatures of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of theparts in a unitary structure whereby the foregoing and other objects areachieved.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and functions of theinvention will be apparent on reference to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustratepreferred embodiments of the new grater and the new grater assembly, andin which:

view of the grater, taken on irregular line 4-4 of FIG. 3, illustratingone of the sectors thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 4, on the same scale, illustrating one of the grating teeth and anadjacent grating opening thereof;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the grater assembly, taken onirregular line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and on substantially the same scale,illustrating the grater in its alternative use and storage positions onthe bowl, shown in full and phantom lines, respectively;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of anothersector of the grater, as seen in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view thereof.

Referring to the drawings, a grater assembly 10 constituting a preferredembodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. Theassembly includes a manual grater 12, also illustrated in FIG. 3, and abowl 14. The grater 12 is illustrated in position for use on the bowl 14in FIG. 1 and in full lines in FIG. 6. The grater 12 is illustrated inits storage position on the bowl 14 in FIG. 2 and in phantom lines inFIG. 6. In an alternative manner of use, not illustrated, the grater 12may be supported on a flat surface, such as a counter or table top, withthe grater otherwise disposed as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The grater 12 is molded integrally in one piece of syntheticthermoplastic resinous material, to provide various advantages includingthose described above and others. The resinous material is selected toprovide suitable strength and rigidity, and also for resistance to theconstituents of various foodstuffs, particularly oils such as lemon oil.A preferred material of construction is anacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, such as Tybrene (Dow ChemicalCo.). Another preferred material is polypropylene, and other syntheticorganic thermoplastic resins might be employed. The bowl 14 may beconstructed of any suitable material, and the illustrative embodiment issimilarly constructed of synthetic thermoplastic resinous material.

The grater 12 includes a curved or rounded truncated generally pyramidalhollow body 16 molded to provide three integral sectors 18,20 and 22(FIG. 3) on 120 centers around the longitudinal axis 24 of the graterand its body. Upstanding sidewalls 26, 28 and 30 of generallytrapezoidal configuration are formed in the respective sectors, and theyhave respective external grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31. The sidewallsare inclined to the longitudinal axis 24 divergently in a direction fromone, narrow closed end 32 to the opposite, wide open end 34 of the body(see FIG. 6). The sidewalls are inclined at relatively small angles tothe axis 24, about 27 in the illustrative embodiment. In normal use, thelongitudinal axis 24 extends vertically, the closed end 32 constitutesthe top of the body 16, and the open end 34 constitutes the bottom ofthe body.

The sidewalls 26, 28 and 30 are integrally joined by similarly inclinedcorner portions 36 (FIGS. 1 and 3). A crownlike end closure 38 is moldedintegrally with the sidewalls and the corner portions at the closed end32 of the body. The closure forms a curved triangular ridge 40 with thesidewalls and corner portions, and includes a recessed end wall 42bounded by the ridge.

The external grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31 of the sidewalls 26, 28 and30 are transversely curved convexly on increasing radii about respectiveeccentric longitudinally extending axes of curvature 44, 46 and 48, asseen in FIG. 3. The axes of curvature are equiangularly disposed aroundand spaced from the longitudinal axis 24, and they intersect therespective apices of the ridge 40. The sides of the ridge are likewisecurved about the respective axes of curvature at the apices oppositethereto. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radii oftransverse curvature for the external grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31increase from about 1% inches at the top of the ridge 40 to 4 inches atthe open end 34 of the body.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the external grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31 ofthe sidewalls 26, 28 and 30 are also curved convexly in the longitudinaldirection, on uniform relatively long radii of curvature. In theaforesaid preferred embodiment, the grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31 arecurved longitudinally on 12- inch radii about centers locatedrespectively on the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 24 andspaced approximately 8.4 inches from the axis 24 and approximately 3.6inches below the open end 34 of the body 16.

The corner portions 36 have external surfaces curved convexly andtransversely on increasing radii about respective eccentriclongitudinally extending axes of curvature providing shorter radii ofcurvature than for the grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31. The externalsurfaces of the corner portions 36 are also curved convexly in thelongitudinal direction. The corner portions 36 thus are curved to mergewith the sidewalls 26, 28 and 30, and provide a strong and rigidconstruction for the body 16. The body is also strengthened by the ridge40. In the illustrative embodiment, a shallow decorative depression orrecess 50 is provided in the corner portions 36, extends into thesidewalls 26, 28 and 30 around the ridge 40, and extends over the ridge,terminating on the inside of the ridge as seen in FIG. 6.

Small, medium and large size grating teeth 52, 54 and 56, respectively,are integrally formed on the grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31 of therespective sidewalls 26, 28 and 30. The teeth project outwardlysubstantially equidistantly from each of the grating surfaces, and theyface the closed end 32 of the body 16. The teeth are arranged in spacedlongitudinal and transverse relation on the grating surfaces. Thus, theteeth are arranged on each surface in successive spaced transversearcuate rows increasing from top to bottom in their radii from therespective axes of curvature 44, 46 and 48. The teeth are spaced in therows about equidistantly for the small teeth 52, at slightly increasingspacing from row to row downwardly for the medium teeth 54, and atincreasing spacing from row to row downwardly for the large teeth 56, soas to provide a generally staggered relation of the teeth in thelongitudinal direction for effective grating.

In the illustrative embodiment, 292 small teeth 52 are provided on thegrating surface 27 of the sidewall 26, 50 medium teeth 54 are providedon the grating surface 29 of the sidewall 28, and 26 large teeth 56 areprovided on the grating surface 31 of the sidewall 30. The small teeth52 are intended for grating foodstuffs such as nutmeg, lemon rinds andcheeses into small particles. The medium teeth 54 are intended forgrating or shredding vegetables such as turnips into large pieces. Thelarge teeth 56 are intended for grating or stringing vegetables such aspotatoes into sticks or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 68, it will be seen that the sidewall 26 bearing thesmall teeth 52 is imperforate. The small teeth are of uniform roundedgenerally conical shape extending substantially longitudinally, exceptfor a small inward draft inclination. Arcuate cutting edges 58 of theteeth face the normally upper closed end 32 of the body 16 and lie inplanes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 of thebody. Grated material falls down the grating surface 27 of the sidewall26 for collection.

Referring to FIGS. 36, the medium and large teeth 54 and 56 havesubstantially the same construction except for size, and the teeth ofeach size are uniform. Cylindrically shaped grating openings 60 and 62are formed in the sidewalls 28 and 30 about axes parallel to thelongitudinal axis 24. The openings are adjacent to the respective mediumand large teeth 54 and 56 thereabove. The openings are formed bycylindrical mold inserts, and the teeth are molded around the inserts.Consequently, the teeth extend in directions generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis 24. Respective arcuate cutting edges 64 and 66 of theteeth face the closed end 32 of the body 16 and lie in planessubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer surfaces 68 of the large teeth 56are inclined upwardly and inwardly, at an illustrative angle of to thelongitudinal axis 24. The teeth are beveled at their cutting edges 66 toprovide cutting surfaces 70 which are inclined upwardly and inwardly, atan illustrative angle of 30 to the longitudinal axis 24. The mediumteeth 54 have the same structure.

Materials grated by the large teeth 56 on the grating surface 31 of thesidewall 30 are cut into sticks or the like which pass through thegrating openings 62, and cut portions also fall along the gratingsurface 31 of the wall. Similarly, materials grated or shredded by themediumteeth 54 on the grating surface 29 of the sidewall 28 are cut intosmall pieces or strips which pass through the grating openings 60, andpart of the severed material falls along the grating surface 29 of thewall.

Owing to the molded construction, the sidewalls 26, 28 and 30 and theirgrating surfaces 27, 29 and 31 may be curved both longitudinally andtransversely, and the grating teeth 52, 54 and 56 may be moldedintegrally therewith to project substantially equidistantly from theirrespective grating surfaces, as described above. The resulting structureserves to reduce the incidence of finger cuts and abrasions byminimizing hand contact with the teeth in use. Thus, as the hand of theuser grasps the material to be grated, and as grating progresses in adownward direction on one of the grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31, theareas of the grating surface adjacent to the area in which the principalpressure is being exerted are curved inwardly away from the pressurearea, avoiding contact of the knuckles of the user with the teeth on theadjacent areas above and to the sides of the pressure area.

Referring particularly in FIGS. 3 and 6, an annular support 72 extendslaterally outwardly from the grater body 16 therearound at the open end34 thereof, and is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis 24.The support provides means for mounting the grater l2 alternatively onthe rim of a bowl for use or storage, or on a flat surface for use,including an annular ledge 74 and an annular band or rim 76. The ledge74 is constructed in the form of a flat ring having a circular outerperiphery, and the band 76 is integral with the outer periphery of theledge and projects longitudinally beyond the ledge in oppositedirections. The ledge 74 has flat longitudinally inner and outer seatingsurfaces 71 and 73, respectively, on opposite sides thereof, which liein planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis 24 of the body16. The band 76 is joined to the ledge 74 intermediate longitudinallyinner and outer margins or edges 75 and 77, respectively, of the band.The surfaces of the margins 75 and 77 lie in planes substantially normalto the longitudinal axis 24.

The support 72 is integrally joined to the grater body 16 by three webs78 extending laterally outwardly from the body comer portions 36, at theseveral junctures of the sidewalls 26, 28 and 30. The webs are integralwith the open end 34 of the body and extend radially outwardlytherefrom. The webs join the support ledge 74 to the body in spacedrelation thereto, thereby defining three discharge openings 80, 82 and84 between the body and the ledge, adjacent the respective sidewalls 26,28 and 30 and the grating surfaces 27', 29 and 31 thereof. The dischargeopenings serve to pass grated materials falling along the gratingsurfaces, for collection beneath the grater.

Two radially extending reinforcing ribs 88 bridge each discharge opening80, 82 and 84 intermediate the webs 78 defining the respective openings,the ribs being spaced approximately equidistantly from each other andfrom the webs. The ribs are molded integrally with the open end 34 ofthe grater body 16 and with the ledge 74. As seen in FIG. 6, the ribsinclude enlarged foot portions 90 extending longitudinally outwardly,which are coextensive with the outer margin 77 of the band 76. Theradially outer ends of the ribs 88 are spaced inwardly from the band 76.

The grater 12 is mounted for use with the body 16 thereof upright,either on a flat surface such as a counter or table top, or on a bowlsuch as the illustrative bowl 14, on which the grater also may bestored. The grater support band 76 projects beyond the open end 34 ofthe grater body 16, thereby serving as a support for the grater with thesurface of the outer margin 77 of the band seated on a flat surface.When the grater is supported on a horizontal surface, the longitudinalaxis 24 thereof is vertical. I

The bowl 14 with which the grater 12 may be assembled preferablyincludes a broad base 92, and an integral circular hollow body 94 ofgreater diameter and depth than the grater body 16. The bowl body 94 issurmounted by an integral annular rim 96, which in the illustrativeembodiment is out-turned and is preferably provided with a flat uppersurface. The upper 73 engaging the bowl rim. The grater 12 is mounted onthe bowl rim 96 for use with the outer seating surface 73 engaging thebowl rim and the grater body 16 extending upwardly therefrom outside thebowl 14, as illustrated in full lines. The grater 12 is mounted on thebowl rim 96 for storage with the inner seating surface 71 engaging thebowl rim and the grater body 16 extending downwardly therefrom insidethe bowl 14, as illustrated in phantom lines. When the bowl 14 issupported on a horizontal surface, the longitudinal axis 24 of thegrater 12 is vertical in each case.

The outwardly projecting portion. of the grater support band 76, havingthe outer margin 77, serves to secure the grater 12 in place on the bowlrim 96 for use, by lateral engagement with the rim therearound, as shownin full lines in FIG. 6. The spacing of the ribs 88 from the band 76serves for receiving the bowl rim 96 therebetween, in engagement withthe outer seating surface 73 of the ledge 74 and adjacent to the band.Likewise, when the grater 12 is inverted for storage with the graterbody 16 in the bowl 14, the inwardly projecting portion of the band 76,having the inner margin 75, laterally engages the rim 96 while the innerseating surface 71 of the ledge 74 is seated thereon, to secure thegrater on the bowl in the storage position illustrated in phantom linesin FIG. 6. The respective use and storage positions of the grater 12 arealso illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The reinforcing ribs 88 provide support for the grater body 16 when thegrater is supported on the bowl 14 by the support ledge 74,supplementing the support provided by the webs 78. Also when the grateris used on a flat surface, the greater body 16 is supported both by thesupport 72 and web 78 structure, and by the foot portions of the ribs88, to provide a strong base of support.

Inasmuch as the grater support 72 is external to the grater body 16, thegrater body is supported above the bowl 14 for use thereon entirelywithin the periphery of the bowl rim 96, with the open end 34 ofthegrater body spaced radially inwardly from the bowl rim. Consequently,grating forces exerted downwardly on the grating surfaces 27, 29 and 31will be directed along lines falling within the periphery of the bowlrim 96, to, avoid tipping the bowl or causing it to slide. The broadbase 92 of the bowl also imparts stability and serves to prevent slidingmovement.

The grater discharge openings 80, 82 and 84 are encompassed by the bowlrim 96 in use of the grater 12 on the bowl 14, for collecting gratedmaterial which falls on the grating surfaces 27 29 and 31 and passesthrough the discharge openings, together with grated material whichpasses through the grating openings 60 and 62 in the sidewalls 28 and30. The grater body 16 is received within the bowl 14 for storage, whilethe grater is supported on the bowl rim 96 by the sup port 72, with thegrater body 16 spaced from the body 94 and the base 92 of the bowl, asillustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 6. The grater is thus substantiallyprotected from damage while being compactly stored in the bowl withwhich it is to be used.

In use, with the grater 12 mounted above the bowl M as shown in FIGS. land 6, the user may hold the grater at its center by pressing thefingers of one hand against the end wall 42 of the grater, within oragainst the end wall 42 of the grater, within or against the ridge $0.The material to be grated is grasped with the other hand, and thematerial is moved downwardly against the appropriate grating surface 27,29 or 31, and against the cutting edges 58, 64 or 66 of the teeth 52, 54or 56 thereon. The material is grated and at least in part falls alongthe grating surface 27, 29 or 31 and passes through a discharge opening80, 82 or 84, respectively. When employing either of the gratingsurfaces 29 and 31 bearing the medium and large teeth 54 and 56,respectively, grated material also passes through the grating openings60 or 62. The grated material which passes through the discharge andgrating openings is collected in he bowl M. Owing to the describedlongitudinally and transversely curved construction of the gratingsurfaces 27, 29 and 31, and the equidistant projection of the gratingteeth 52, 54 and 56 therefrom, inadvertent contact of the fingers withthe grating teeth is minimized as the material is moved along thegrating surfaces.

The grater body 16 is rigidly supported during such use by the support72, web 7% and rib 88 structure. A broad base of support is provided bythe bowl base 92 and the grater support 72, and the downward gratingforces are exerted on the grater body within the periphery of the bowlrim 96, so that the user may grate materials easily and rapidly withouttipping the assembly and without sliding motion on the surface whichsupports the bowl.

The prior problems are avoided, of clearing and cleaning a suitable worksurface, or finding a bowl suitable for collecting the grated material,which still may be inconvenient or insecure. After grating the material,the collecting bowl 14 may be used for mixing and serving the contents,with no need to transfer the material to another bowl. The grater isopen and accessible for rapid and thorough cleaning following use, andit may be stored between uses in the clean bowl ready for the next use.

The grater 12 may, alternatively, be used alone on any convenientgenerally flat surface. In such use, the grater is supported on theouter margin 77 of the band 76 and the foot portions 90 of the ribs 38.Materials are grated in the same manner as when working on a bowl, withgrated materials collecting on the supporting surface. it is evident,however, that when considerable material is being grated, or whenrelatively large lengths of material are to be cut, it is mostconvenient to use the grater 12 on the bowl M for collecting thematerial, and the surrounding areas will stay clean and neat.

The grater 12 is constructed economically of plastic in a single moldingoperation, and it is lightweight, strong and durable. The bowl M or asimilar bowl is economical and lightweight, and it may also serve forgeneral kitchen use. The grater 12 is similarly adapted for use withgeneral purpose bowls as may be available, provided that their rims willserve for engagement with the grater support 72. As described above, thebase of the bowl should also be relatively broad for stability.

While preferred embodiments of the new grater and the new graterassembly have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may bemade therein within the spirit and scope of the invention. It isintended that such changes and modifications be included within thescope of the appended claims.

Whatl claim is:

l. A manual grater molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materialand comprising a body having an external grating surface inclined to thelongitudinal axis of the body divergently in a direction from one end toan opposite end of the body, said grating surface being curved convexlyboth longitudinally and transversely, a plurality of grating teethintegral with said grating surface in spaced longitudinal and transverserelation thereon and projecting outwardly therefrom facing said one endof said body, said teeth projecting substantially equidistantly fromsaid grating surface for minimizing hand contact with said teeth in use,and support means extending laterally outwardly from said bodytherearound at said opposite end thereof and integrally joined thereto,said support means comprising means for mounting the grater on the rimofa bowl for use including a surface lying in a plane substantiallynormal to said axis for seating engagement with said rim, whereby thegrater is adapted for grating material downwardly on said gratingsurface over a bowl on which the grater is mounted.

2. A manual grater molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materialand comprising a hollow body having a plurality of integral sidewallsinclined to the longitudinal axis of the body divergently in a directionfrom one end to an opposite end of the body, said sidewalls each havingan external grating surface curved convexly both longitudinally andtransversely, and a plurality of grating teeth integral with each ofsaid grating surfaces in spaced longitudinal and transverse relationthereon and projecting outwardly substantially equidistantly therefromfacing said one end of said body, whereby the grater is adapted for usewith said axis extending vertically and said one end of said bodyuppermost for grating material downwardly on said grating surfaces whileminimizing hand contact with said teeth.

3. A grater as defined in claim 2 including an annular support extendinglaterally outwardly from said body therearound at said opposite endthereof and integrally joined thereto, said support comprising means formounting the grater alternatively on the rim of a bowl or on a flatsurface for use including surfaces lying in planes substantially normalto said axis for seating engagement with said rim and with said flatsurface, respectively.

4. A grater as defined in claim 3 including means forming dischargeopenings between said body and said support adjacent respective saidsidewalls, whereby grated material passes through said dischargeopenings is use and may be collected in a bowl on which the grater ismounted.

5. A grater as defined in claim 3 wherein said support comprises a ledgeand an integral band having said seating surfaces, said ledge supportingthe grater on the rim of a bowl for use, and said band projectinglongitudinally beyond said ledge for alternatively securing the grateron a bowl when supported on the rim thereof or supporting the grater ona flat surface for use.

6. A manual grater molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materialand comprising a hollow body having a plurality of integral sidewallsinclined to the longitudinal axis of the body divergently in a directionfrom one end to an opposite open end of the body, said sidewalls eachhaving an external grating surface, each of said grating surfaces beingcurved convexly both longitudinally and transversely, a plurality ofgrating teeth integral with each of said grating surfaces in spacedlongitudinal and transverse relation thereon and projecting outwardlytherefrom facing said one end of said body, said teeth projectingsubstantially equidistantly from said grating surface for minimizinghand contact with said teeth in use, means forming grating openingsadjacent to said teeth in at least one of said sidewalls, an annularsupport extending laterally outwardly from said body therearound at saidopen end thereof and integrally joined thereto, said support comprisingmeans for mounting the grater alternatively on the rim of a bowl or on aflat surface for use including surfaces lying in planes substantiallynormal to said axis for seating engagement with said rim and with saidflat surface respectively, and means forming discharge openings betweensaid body and said support adjacent respective ones ofsaid sidewalls,whereby the grater is adapted for grating material downwardly on saidgrating surfaces over said bowl or flat surface on which the grater ismounted and grated material passes through said grating openings andsaid discharge openings and may be collected in said bowl.

7. A grater as defined in claim 6 wherein said support comprises a ledgeand an integral band, said ledge having surfaces on opposite sidesthereof lying in planes substantially normal to said axis for seatingthe grater on the rim of a bowl with said body disposed alternativelyoutside the bowl for use or inside the bowl for storage, said bandprojecting longitudinally beyond said ledge in opposite directions forsecuring the grater on a bowl when seated on the rim thereof in eitherof said body dispositions, and said band having a surface on thelongitudinally outer margin thereof lying in a plane substantiallynormal to said axis for seating the grater on a fiat surface for use.

8. A grater as defined in claim 7 including webs extending laterallyoutwardly from said body at the junctures of said sidewalls at said openend of the body and integrally joining said ledge to said body in spacedrelation thereto, thereby defining said discharge openings.

9. A grater as defined in claim 8 including integral reinforcing ribsbridging said discharge openings intermediate said webs and coextensivewith the longitudinally outer margin of said band for providingadditional body support when the grater is seated for use in saidalternative ways.

10. A manual grater molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materialand comprising a hollow body having three sidewalls inclined to thelongitudinal axis of the body divergently in a direction from a closedend to an opposite open end of the body, said sidewalls each having anexternal grating surface curved convexly both longitudinally andtransversely, said sidewalls being integrally joined by similarlyinclined comer portions having external surfaces curved convexly bothlongitudinally and transversely, an integral closure at said closed endof said body forming a curved triangular ridge with said sidewalls andcorner portions and including a recessed end wall bounded by said ridge,a plurality of grating teeth integral with each of said grating surfacesin spaced longitudinal and transverse relation thereon and projectingoutwardly substantially equidistantly therefrom facing said closed endof said body, means forming grating openings adjacent said teeth in atleast part of said sidewalls, an annular ledge extending laterallyoutwardly from said body therearound at said open end thereof, saidledge having surfaces on opposite sides thereof lying in planessubstantially normal to said axis for seating the grater on the rim of abowl with said body disposed alternatively outside the bowl for use orinside the bowl for storage, webs extending laterally outwardly fromsaid corner portions at said open end of said body and integrallyjoining said ledge to said body in spaced relation thereto, therebydefining discharge openings between said body and said ledge adjacentrespective said sidewalls, and an annular band integral with said ledgeand projecting longitudinally beyond the ledge in opposite directionsfor securing the grater on a bowl when seated on the rim thereof ineither of said body dispositions, said band having a surface on thelongitudinally outer margin thereof lying in a plane substantiallynormal to said axis for seating the grater on a fiat surface for use,whereby the grater is adapted for grating material downwardly on saidgrating surfaces over said bowl or fiat surface on which the grater isseated for usewhile minimizing hand contact with said teeth, and gratedmaterial passes through said grating openings and said dischargeopenings and may be collected in said bowl.

11. A grater as defined in claim 10 wherein said resinous material isacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer.

[2. A grater as defined in claim 10 wherein said resinous material ispolypropylene.

13. A grater assembly which comprises, in combination, a grater asdefined in claim 3, and a bowl having a rim engageable with a saidseating surface for mounting the grater thereon for use.

14. A grater assembly which comprises, in combination, a grater asdefined in claim 6, and a bowl having a rim engageable with a saidseating surface for mounting the grater thereon for use said bowl rimencompassing said dischar e openin s for collecting grated materialwhich passes t rough t e discharge openings together with gratedmaterial which passes through said grating openings.

IS. A grater assembly which comprises, in combination, a grater asdefined in claim 7, and a bowl having a rim engageable with said ledgeseating surfaces adjacent to said band for mounting the grater thereonin either of said body dispositions, said bowl rim encompassing saiddischarge openings in use for collecting grated material which passesthrough the discharge openings together with grated material whichpasses through said grating openings, and said bowl receiving said bodytherein for storage.

16. A grater assembly which comprises, in combination, a grater asdefined in claim 10, and a bowl having a broad base and a bodysurmounted by an annular rim, said rim being engageable with said ledgeseating surfaces adjacent to said band for mounting the grater thereonin either of said grater body dispositions, said bowl rim encompassingsaid discharge openings in use for collecting grated material whichpasses through the discharge openings together with grated materialwhich passes through said grating openings, and said bowl receiving saidgrater body therein in spaced relation to said bowl base and body forstorage.

17. A grater as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said gratingsurfaces is transversely curved convexly on increasing radii ofcurvature about a corresponding one of three longitudinally extendingaxes of curvature, said axes of curvature being equidistantly spacedfrom the longitudinal axis of said body and spaced equiangularlytherearound.

18. A manual grater molder of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materialand comprising a hollow body having a plurality of integral sidewallsinclined to the longitudinal axis of the body divergently in a directionfrom one end to an opposite open end of the body, said sidewalls eachhaving an external grating surface, a plurality of grating teethintegral with each of said grating surfaces in spaced longitudinal andtransverse relation thereon and projecting outwardly therefrom facingsaid one end of said body, means forming grating openings adjacent tosaid teeth in at least one of said sidewalls, an annular supportextending laterally outwardly from said body therearound at said openend thereof and integrally joined thereto, said support comprising meansfor mounting the grater alternatively on the rim of a bowl or on a fiatsurface for use including surfaces lying in planes substantially normalto said axis for seating engagement with said rim and with said flatsurface respectively, a plurality of webs extending laterally outwardlyfrom said body at the junctures of said sidewalls at said open end ofthe body and integrally joining said support to said body in spacedrelation thereto for thereby defining discharge openings between saidbody and said support adjacent to respective ones of said sidewalls,whereby the grater is adapted for grating material downwardly on saidgrating surfaces over said bowl or flat surface on which the grater ismounted and grated material passes through said grating openings andsaid discharge openings and may be collected in said bowl.

2. A manual grater molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materialand comprising a hollow body having a plurality of integral sidewallsinclined to the longitudinal axis of the body divergently in a directionfrom one end to an opposite end of the body, said sidewalls each havingan external grating surface curved convexly both longitudinally andtransversely, and a plurality of grating teeth integral with each ofsaid grating surfaces in spaced longitudinal and transverse relationthereon and projecting outwardly substantially equidistantly therefromfacing said one end of said body, whereby the grater is adapted for usewith said axis extending vertically and said one end of said bodyuppermost for grating material downwardly on said grating surfaces whileminimizing hand contact with said teeth.
 3. A grater as defined in claim2 including an annular support extending laterally outwardly from saidbody therearound at said opposite end thereof and integrally joinedthereto, said support comprising means for mounting the grateralternatively on the rim of a bowl or on a flat surface for useincluding surfaces lying in planes substantially normal to said axis forseating engagement with said rim and with said flat surface,respectively.
 4. A grater as defined in claim 3 including means formingdischarge openings between said body and said support adjacentrespective said sidewalls, whereby grated material passes through saiddischarge openings is use and may be collected in a bowl on which thegrater is mounted.
 5. A grater as defined in claim 3 wherein saidsupport comprises a ledge and an integral band having said seatingsurfaces, said ledge supporting the grater on the rim of a bowl for use,and said band projecting longitudinally beyond said ledge foralternatively securing the grater on a bowl when supported on the rimthereof or supporting the grater on a flat surface for use.
 6. A manualgrater molded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous material andcomprising a hollow body having a plurality of integral sidewallsinclined to the longitudinal axis of the body divergently in a directionfrom one end to an opposite open end of the body, said sidewalls eachhaving an external grating surface, each of said grating surfaces beingcurved convexly both longitudinally and transversely, a plurality ofgrating teeth integral with each of said grating surfaces in spacedlongitudinal and transverse relation thereon and projecting outwardlytherefrom facing said one end of said body, said teeth projectingsubstantially equidistantly from said grating surface for minimizinghand contact with said teeth in use, means forming grating openingsadjacent to said teeth in at least one of said sidewalls, an annularsupport extending laterally outwardly from said body therearound at saidopen end thereof and integrally joined thereto, said support comprisingmeans for mounting the grater alternatively on the rim of a bowl or on aflat surface for use including surfaces lying in planes substantiallynormal to said axis for seating engagement with said rim and with saidflat surface respectively, and means forming discharge openings betweensaid body and Said support adjacent respective ones of said sidewalls,whereby the grater is adapted for grating material downwardly on saidgrating surfaces over said bowl or flat surface on which the grater ismounted and grated material passes through said grating openings andsaid discharge openings and may be collected in said bowl.
 7. A grateras defined in claim 6 wherein said support comprises a ledge and anintegral band, said ledge having surfaces on opposite sides thereoflying in planes substantially normal to said axis for seating the grateron the rim of a bowl with said body disposed alternatively outside thebowl for use or inside the bowl for storage, said band projectinglongitudinally beyond said ledge in opposite directions for securing thegrater on a bowl when seated on the rim thereof in either of said bodydispositions, and said band having a surface on the longitudinally outermargin thereof lying in a plane substantially normal to said axis forseating the grater on a flat surface for use.
 8. A grater as defined inclaim 7 including webs extending laterally outwardly from said body atthe junctures of said sidewalls at said open end of the body andintegrally joining said ledge to said body in spaced relation thereto,thereby defining said discharge openings.
 9. A grater as defined inclaim 8 including integral reinforcing ribs bridging said dischargeopenings intermediate said webs and coextensive with the longitudinallyouter margin of said band for providing additional body support when thegrater is seated for use in said alternative ways.
 10. A manual gratermolded of synthetic thermoplastic resinous material and comprising ahollow body having three sidewalls inclined to the longitudinal axis ofthe body divergently in a direction from a closed end to an oppositeopen end of the body, said sidewalls each having an external gratingsurface curved convexly both longitudinally and transversely, saidsidewalls being integrally joined by similarly inclined corner portionshaving external surfaces curved convexly both longitudinally andtransversely, an integral closure at said closed end of said bodyforming a curved triangular ridge with said sidewalls and cornerportions and including a recessed end wall bounded by said ridge, aplurality of grating teeth integral with each of said grating surfacesin spaced longitudinal and transverse relation thereon and projectingoutwardly substantially equidistantly therefrom facing said closed endof said body, means forming grating openings adjacent said teeth in atleast part of said sidewalls, an annular ledge extending laterallyoutwardly from said body therearound at said open end thereof, saidledge having surfaces on opposite sides thereof lying in planessubstantially normal to said axis for seating the grater on the rim of abowl with said body disposed alternatively outside the bowl for use orinside the bowl for storage, webs extending laterally outwardly fromsaid corner portions at said open end of said body and integrallyjoining said ledge to said body in spaced relation thereto, therebydefining discharge openings between said body and said ledge adjacentrespective said sidewalls, and an annular band integral with said ledgeand projecting longitudinally beyond the ledge in opposite directionsfor securing the grater on a bowl when seated on the rim thereof ineither of said body dispositions, said band having a surface on thelongitudinally outer margin thereof lying in a plane substantiallynormal to said axis for seating the grater on a flat surface for use,whereby the grater is adapted for grating material downwardly on saidgrating surfaces over said bowl or flat surface on which the grater isseated for use while minimizing hand contact with said teeth, and gratedmaterial passes through said grating openings and said dischargeopenings and may be collected in said bowl.
 11. A grater as defined inclaim 10 wherein said resinous material isacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copoLymer.
 12. A grater as defined inclaim 10 wherein said resinous material is polypropylene.
 13. A graterassembly which comprises, in combination, a grater as defined in claim3, and a bowl having a rim engageable with a said seating surface formounting the grater thereon for use.
 14. A grater assembly whichcomprises, in combination, a grater as defined in claim 6, and a bowlhaving a rim engageable with a said seating surface for mounting thegrater thereon for use, said bowl rim encompassing said dischargeopenings for collecting grated material which passes through thedischarge openings together with grated material which passes throughsaid grating openings.
 15. A grater assembly which comprises, incombination, a grater as defined in claim 7, and a bowl having a rimengageable with said ledge seating surfaces adjacent to said band formounting the grater thereon in either of said body dispositions, saidbowl rim encompassing said discharge openings in use for collectinggrated material which passes through the discharge openings togetherwith grated material which passes through said grating openings, andsaid bowl receiving said body therein for storage.
 16. A grater assemblywhich comprises, in combination, a grater as defined in claim 10, and abowl having a broad base and a body surmounted by an annular rim, saidrim being engageable with said ledge seating surfaces adjacent to saidband for mounting the grater thereon in either of said grater bodydispositions, said bowl rim encompassing said discharge openings in usefor collecting grated material which passes through the dischargeopenings together with grated material which passes through said gratingopenings, and said bowl receiving said grater body therein in spacedrelation to said bowl base and body for storage.
 17. A grater as definedin claim 2, wherein each of said grating surfaces is transversely curvedconvexly on increasing radii of curvature about a corresponding one ofthree longitudinally extending axes of curvature, said axes of curvaturebeing equidistantly spaced from the longitudinal axis of said body andspaced equiangularly therearound.
 18. A manual grater molder ofsynthetic thermoplastic resinous material and comprising a hollow bodyhaving a plurality of integral sidewalls inclined to the longitudinalaxis of the body divergently in a direction from one end to an oppositeopen end of the body, said sidewalls each having an external gratingsurface, a plurality of grating teeth integral with each of said gratingsurfaces in spaced longitudinal and transverse relation thereon andprojecting outwardly therefrom facing said one end of said body, meansforming grating openings adjacent to said teeth in at least one of saidsidewalls, an annular support extending laterally outwardly from saidbody therearound at said open end thereof and integrally joined thereto,said support comprising means for mounting the grater alternatively onthe rim of a bowl or on a flat surface for use including surfaces lyingin planes substantially normal to said axis for seating engagement withsaid rim and with said flat surface respectively, a plurality of websextending laterally outwardly from said body at the junctures of saidsidewalls at said open end of the body and integrally joining saidsupport to said body in spaced relation thereto for thereby definingdischarge openings between said body and said support adjacent torespective ones of said sidewalls, whereby the grater is adapted forgrating material downwardly on said grating surfaces over said bowl orflat surface on which the grater is mounted and grated material passesthrough said grating openings and said discharge openings and may becollected in said bowl.